Cost of beach-access parking in Volusia Co. turning people away?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Fourth of July holiday weekend saw fewer people parking on the beaches in Volusia County.

Daytona Beach local Dennis Vonrodenstein said he takes his Jeep to the beach every weekend, and Sunday, he was the only car parked.

Vonrodenstein thinks the price of parking could be the reason.

"I mean that's outrageous," he said. "Twenty dollars a day? It's gone up a lot. If I wasn't a resident, I'd be pretty upset."

That's because residents can pay $25 for an annual parking pass, where as out-of-town visitors have to pay $100 for the same annual pass.

A county worker said the numbers of daily passes purchased are lower than in the past, but they blame mother nature.

Sunday also saw access roads only open to vehicles with four-wheel drive, due to soft sand on the beach.

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Volusia County Beach Safety officials say sand erosion is a problem because of recent storms and hurricanes.

Many out-of-town visitors said the price of parking on the beach kept them off the sand and across the street, where parking was only $10.

"I think they get here and they're shocked by how much it is," said Adam Kistharet. "I think at the end of the summer, the results will tell us whether or not it was a good move finance-wise. I think it's important for the county to take a look at these things and do what's best for tourism."